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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC_02-17-99_Meeting_MinutesMEETING MINUTES OF THE FREDERICK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Held in the Board Room of the Frederick County Administration Building at 107 North Kent Street in Winchester, Virginia on February 17, 1999. PRESENT: Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Chairman/Stonewall District; Robert A. Morris, Shawnee District; Marjorie H. Copenhaver, Back Creek District; John H. Light, Stonewall District; W. Wayne Miller, Gainesboro District; Terry Stone, Gainesboro District; George L. Romine, Citizen at Large; Robert M. Sager, Board Liaison; Vincent DiBenedetto, Winchester City Liaison; and Jay Cook, Legal Counsel. ABSENT: Roger L. Thomas, Opequon District; Richard C. Ours, Opequon District; John R. Marker, Back Creek District; and S. Blaine Wilson, Shawnee District. STAFF PRESENT: Kris C. Tierney, Planning Director; Evan A. Wyatt, Deputy Planning Director; Eric R. Lawrence, Zoning Administrator; Michael T. Ruddy, Planner II; and Renee' S. Arlotta, Clerk. CALL TO ORDER & Chairman DeHaven called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. APPLICATIONS ACTION SUMMARY Chairman DeHaven accepted the report for the Commission's information. COMMITTEE REPORTS Comprehensive Plans & Programs Subcommittee (CPPS) Mrs. Copenhaver, subcommittee member, reported that the CPPS will be holding two public meetings on the South Frederick Land Use Study; one on Thursday, March 18, and one on Wednesday, March 31, both at 7:00 p.m., at the Armel School. Frederick County Planning Commission Minutes of February 17, 1999 Page 304 -2- Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) - 02/16/99 Mtg. Mr. Robert M. Morris, Planning Commission liaison to the HRAB, reported that the HRAB discussed a rezoning request on Tasker Road, which is adjacent to the potentially significant Sherman- Rogers- Sargent house. Mr. Morris said that they also reviewed a proffer revision request for the Wampler property in relation to the L. O. Dick house. Sanitation Authority (SA) - 02/11199 Mtg. Mrs. Copenhaver, Planning Commission liaison to the SA, reported that the water tank problem has finally been resolved; the water line from Senseny Road to Route 7 will be finished this month; and the water and sewer to Apple Valley will be finished by June, 1999. Mrs. Copenhaver also reported that three senior students from Sherando High School have undertaken a project with the Sanitation Authority to formulate opinions concerning combining the City and County water systems. PUBLIC MEETING Master Development Plan #001 -99 of Oakdale Crossing II, submitted by G. W. Clifford & Associates, • Inc. to develop a 21.49 -acre site for single family detached homes. This property is located on the south side of Senseny Road (Rt. 657), adjacent to the southern limits of the Oakdale Crossing subdivision, and is identified with P.I.N.s 64 -A -17 and 64 -A -119 in the Shawnee Magisterial District. Action - Recommended Approval Mr. Evan A. Wyatt, Deputy Planning Director, stated that the tract zoned for residential use is approximately 154 acres; however, the request for this master plan is for about a 21 %2 -acre phase, which is located in the northwestern portion of the larger tract. He said that the 21 %2 acres is accessible through the existing Oakdale Crossing subdivision, which contains 68 lots; it provides connections through the existing subdivision on Hunters Ridge Road and Fairfield Drive; and all traffic would exit out of Crestleigh Drive onto Senseny Road. Mr. Wyatt stated that the applicant's proposal is for 49 additional lots, with 15,000 square foot minimums, with curb, gutter, and street lights, which is consistent with the development of Oakdale Crossing I. A member of the Commission stated that this land was zoned for residential development back in 1983. Mr. Charles W. Maddox, Jr. with G. W. Clifford & Associates, Inc., the design engineers for the project, stated that this project is consistent with the proper density for this area and is a continuation of existing development. He said that the first phase of Oakdale Crossing is now at build -out and this master plan is necessary for the addition of 49 lots into the inventory. Mr. Maddox showed slides of the project area. • Frederick County Planning Commission Minutes of February 17, 1999 Page 305 -3- speak: Chairman DeHaven called for public comments, and the following persons came forward to Mrs. Margaret DiPietro, resident at 308 Hunters Ridge Road, was concerned how the additional development would affect local schools, because the schools in the area were already overcrowded and in need of repair. Mrs. DiPietro said that she understood the land has been zoned since 1983, but much has changed since then. Mr. Ron Place, resident at 311 Hunters Ridge Road, asked if a traffic study was done for the proposed project. Mr. Place was concerned about the amount of traffic on a single lane entering Senseny Road, which he believed was difficult to access now, considering the existing traffic congestion. Mr. Vince Chamino, resident at 209 Fairfield Drive, was concerned about increased traffic congestion on Fairfield and Hunters Ridge Roads. Mr. Michael Popp, resident at 100 Fairfield Drive, inquired if the homes in the second phase would be under the same restrictions as Phase I. Mr. Popp was also concerned about construction traffic damaging the road and if roads would be resurfaced after all construction was completed. Mr. Maddox came forward again to address the concerns of the citizens. Mr. Maddox said that Oakdale Phase I had 68 units and Phase 11 will have 49, for a total of 117 houses; VDOT uses ten trips per day per house which equates to 1,170 trips per day. He explained that 1,170 trips per day is in the range of a local street to a minor collector; the County Zoning Ordinance also classifies a minor collector as having is between 1,000 -3,000 trips per day. Mr. Maddox said that this project will produce trips somewhere between a local street and a minor collector and the existing roads within Oakdale Crossing are sufficient to meet those conditions. He stated that both connections will be extended to a common, central road that enters onto Senseny Road. Mr. Maddox continued, stating that the same restrictions will apply to Phase II as were applied to Phase I. Concerning the question of resurfacing roads, Mr. Maddox said that this is not a requirement; however, the developer's contractor will need a permit issued from VDOT allowing access to this site and extension of the roads. He said the permit will specify certain things intended to protect the road system; and, if in fact the road is damaged and they are blamed for it, the State will have recourse against the permit holder. A member of the Planning Commission noted that Hunters Ridge Road is already a state - maintained road and if construction vehicles cause damage to it, recourse would be up to the State. The Planning Commission believed that the proposed master plan was consistent with the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. No outstanding issues of concern were raised. Upon motion made by Mr. Morris and seconded by Mr. Romine, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously recommend approval of Master Development Plan #001 -99 of Oakdale Crossing 1I, submitted by G. W. Clifford & Associates, Inc., to develop a 21.49 -acre site for single - family detached homes contingent upon the applicant's ability to adequately address all comments or concerns of the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors, as well as any technical comments of all review agencies. • Frederick County Planning Commission Minutes of February 17, 1999 Page 306 -4- • 1999 PRIMARY ROAD IMPROVEMENT PLAN Action - Recommended Approval Mr. Michael T. Ruddy, Planner II, said that the 1999 Primary Road Improvement Plan has been prepared in anticipation of the Commonwealth Transportation Board's Pre - allocation Hearing to be held on Friday, March 19, 1999 at the Augusta County Government Center. He said that the Primary Road Plan identifies the County's priorities within the primary road system. Mr. Ruddy stated that the plan continues to focus upon the completion of the limited access arterial road around the eastern part of the County, Route 37, and improvements to arterial collector roads within the Urban Development Area. He added that the improvements recommended in the plan are consistent with the Winchester Area Transportation Study and the Interstate 81 Improvement Study, and will complete the primary road system necessary to manage the traffic demands in Frederick County and the City of Winchester into the foreseeable future. Mr. Ruddy next reviewed the priorities and additions with the Planning Commission. A member of the Commission inquired if it was possible in this document to express desires for design corridor appearance improvements, for example, underground utilities. The staff believed that the Primary Road Plan was primarily used to identify the nature of the work to be done, without detailing particular aspects of the work proposed. The subject of the Route 669 bridge reconstruction was also raised and whether any ® preliminary plans had been made. Mr. Jerry Copp, VDOT's resident engineer, said that there were no preliminary plans at this time; however, Staunton District has the interstate widening through Winchester as its second priority. He said that the bridge is also a high priority, based on its present condition along with the traffic it is accommodating today, versus what was planned for it when it was built. A member of the Commission stated that there is the potential for another rezoning for a truck stop in this area and he inquired if this would assist in moving the bridge reconstruction further up on the priority list. Mr. Copp replied that reconstruction may be years down the road; however, he believed that VDOT and the County needed to work together to see what can be accomplished through both land use rezoning, as well as what VDOT is trying to accomplish. He said that the developer would need to provide VDOT with the proposed generated traffic count; VDOT would then require the developer to enhance the system accordingly to meet a level of service that would be appropriate for that location. Mr. Copp said that VDOT would require the developer to make improvements, if their traffic exceeded that level of service. No other issues of concern were raised by the Commission. There were no citizen comments. Upon motion made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Light, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby endorse the 1999 Primary Road Improvement Plan as presented by the Transportation Committee and unanimously recommends approval to the Board of Supervisors. • Frederick County Planning Commission Minutes of February 17, 1999 Page 307 -5- • AYLOR ROAD (ROUTE 647) IMPROVEMENT PROJECT - TYPICAL SECTION Action - Recommended approval of Alternative 2 with sidewalks along the eastern side of Aylor Road throughout the project, along the western side of Aylor Road in the vicinity of the Greenbriar Subdivision and the Bass Hoover Elementary School, and along the western side of the relocated section of Aylor Road in the vicinity of the commercial area. Mr. Michael T. Ruddy, Planner 11, stated that staff recently attended a VDOT meeting regarding the Aylor Road (Rt. 647) Improvement Project. He said that VDOT asked the County to provide a typical road section and they also asked if it was the County's desire to provide sidewalks and bike lanes in association with the project. Mr. Ruddy said that VDOT has provided three alternatives and, ultimately, will be seeking a recommendation from the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Ruddy reviewed each of the three alternatives with the Commission. Mr. Ruddy said that he met with several parties who may be impacted, such as Bass Hoover Elementary School, the Department of Parks & Recreation, and the Public Works Department. He said that the Bass Hoover School would like to see the provision of sidewalks and bicycle paths and a safe pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of the main entrance to Greenbriar, which is directly opposite the school entrance. Mr. Ruddy stated that the another minor impact would be to a few Little League baseball fields where backstops would have to be relocated to accommodate the curvature of the road; he noted that there appears to be sufficient space to relocate those in the area. • Mr. Ruddy stated that the staff is recommending approval of the second alternative forwarded by VDOT, which is the 63' right -0f - -way which provides for two 11' travel lanes, a 12' center turn lane, a Y bike lane on each side within the pavement, and sidewalk space. Mr. Ruddy said that in addition, staff would recommend as part of the road project, that sidewalks be provided in the following manner: along the eastern side of Aylor Road throughout the project, along the western side of Aylor Road in the vicinity of Greenbriar Subdivision and Bass Hoover Elementary School, and along the western side of the relocated section of Aylor Road in the vicinity of the commercial area. Mr. Jerry Copp, VDOT's resident engineer, came forward to answer a question from the Commission on the proposed timing of the project and how it would relate to the I -81, Tasker Road, and Route 277 projects. Mr. Copp stated that financially, VDOT is looking at a proposed advertising date sometime in the year 2003. Mr. Copp explained that as things stand today, the Route 277 project would be the first, then Aylor, then I -81. Commission members inquired if there was a significant cost difference between the proposed alternatives. Mr. Norman Sparks, also with VDOT, stated that the addition of the two five -foot bike lanes will cost approximately $500,000 additional. Commission members believed that improvements to Aylor Road were needed and they were very much in favor of adding the bike paths and sidewalks because of the proximity of the school, the residential subdivision, and the future location of the new library. is Frederick County Planning Commission Minutes of February 17, 1999 Page 308 Upon motion made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Romine, • BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously recommend approval of the Aylor Road Improvement Project with Alternative 2 as the typical section, consisting of a 63' right -0f - -way which provides for two I I' travel lanes, a 12' center turn lane, a 5' bike lane on each side within the pavement, and sidewalk space; and, as an additional part of the road project, that sidewalks be provided in the following manner: along the eastern side of Aylor Road throughout the project, along the western side of Aylor Road in the vicinity of Greenbriar Subdivision and Bass Hoover Elementary School, and along the western side of the relocated section of Aylor Road in the vicinity of the commercial area. PROPOSED AMENDMENT ESTABLISHING REDUCED FRONT YARD SETBACKS FOR PROTECTIVE ENTRANCE CANOPIES Action - Recommended Approval Mr. Eric R. Lawrence, Zoning Administrator, stated that a request has been received from Mr. Stephen M. Gymisin with G. W. Clifford & Associates, Inc. to amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow the placement ofprotective entrance canopies and associated support structures within the front yard setback areas. He said that the Development Review & Regulations Subcommittee (DRRS) reviewed the request and endorsed the proposal as long as the canopy and support structures do not encroach on the front yard setbacks any closer than 20'. Mr. Lawrence said that this recommendation was based on the fact that some of the main • thoroughfares within the County have 35' setback requirements and the DRRS did not want road widening to be obstructed by entrance canopies. There were no particular areas of concern raised by the Commission and they instructed the staff to proceed with advertising the amendment for a public hearing. • Frederick County Planning Commission Minutes of February 17, 1999 Page 309 7- ADJOURNMENT No further business remained to be discussed and the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. by unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted, C. Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Chairman \J • Frederick County Planning Commission Minutes of February 17, 1999 Page 310